Perth Voice Interactive

HERITAGE houses in Stirling now have legal protection against “demolition by neglect”.

The city is one of the first councils in WA to introduce a bylaw that prevents landlords deliberately allowing heritage buildings to become so dilapidated they require demolition (usually paving the way for a lucrative new development).

The council can now demand that owners undertake structural repairs and, if they don’t comply, the council can organise the work and then bill the owner.

“While instances of demolition by neglect are rare in Stirling, we know that run-down old buildings have the potential to attract squatters and can lead to anti-social behaviour, vandalism, and environmental health issues,” says mayor Giovanni Italiano.

“It is important to note that the provisions now in effect will only be applied once all other options have been exhausted.

“This amendment represents a positive step in our ongoing effort to conserve the city’s much-valued heritage.”

The Mount Lawley Society helped develop the demolition-by-neglect policy.

“We’ve been working together on this for around six years, so it’s great to see it come to fruition,” says patron Barrie Baker.

“I think if you have the ability and resources to maintain a heritage property and you don’t, then it’s an anti-community act.”

Only deterioration that leads to a loss of structural integrity, such as missing roof tiles, or the loss of an integral heritage feature, such as a chimney or verandah, can qualify as demolition-by-neglect.

The council is also investigating the use of financial and non-financial incentives to encourage the conservation of places with high heritage value.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK